Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesKit Hoover got emotional during Access Hollywood Live Monday morning.
The co-host talked about her former colleague Billy Bush and started to tear up while talking to Natalie Morales about the leaked tapes that showed him and Donald Trump making lewd comments about women. She began the show by explaining how shocked and "devastated" she was about the news that broke Friday.
"He was always in my corner," Hoover said. "I was just devastated to watch all this unfold because the Billy that I know—and that a lot of people would say—has the biggest heart of anybody, and he is a good person."
Morales echoed Hoover's sentiments, explaining that Bush was there for her as soon as he found out the news that she would be taking his spot.
"One of the first people to call me and congratulate me when I announced that I would be getting this job was Billy," Morales added. "He also offered advice and offered to help with my move and transition."
Hoover's and Morales' comments came after Savannah Guthrie, Tamron Hall and Al Roker addressed Bush's absence and suspension on Today earlier this morning. "We want to note one other thing: Pending further review of the matter, NBC News has suspended Billy Bush, who now hosts Today's third hour, for his role in the conversation with Donald Trump," Guthrie said after talking about Trump's performance during Sunday's debate.
Later in the show Roker and Hall also addressed Bush's suspension. "As you can see Billy Bush is not joining us today as you're probably aware. Part of that 2005 Access Hollywood taping with Donald Trump that's been in the news all weekend. NBC, which owns Access Hollywood, has suspended Billy for his role in that conversation pending further review."
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)